The destinations within The Sanctuary Collection are defined by character rather than novelty — places where setting and atmosphere come together with quiet inevitability. Each is chosen for how it feels to spend time there and the ease of returning to it. Together, they form a considered geography shaped for continuity and a lasting connection to place.
Queenstown
Queenstown is widely recognised as one of the world’s most compelling year-round destinations — a rare place where dramatic alpine landscapes meet extraordinary experiences and sophisticated leisure within a compact, magnetic setting. Framed by striking mountain peaks and set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, days can begin with heli-skiing or world-class runs on Coronet Peak or Cardrona, then ease into afternoons on the lake, the fairway, or among Central Otago’s celebrated vineyards.
Adventure is woven into the fabric of the region, from jet boating and bungy jumping to back-country hiking, cycling renowned trails, and skiing beneath clear alpine skies. That energy is matched by a refined food and wine scene, bespoke experiences, exclusive wellness retreats, and elevated dining by award-winning chefs. Time in Queenstown feels full and rewarding — whether spent pursuing adrenaline or lingering over a glass of Pinot Noir as the sun drops behind rugged ridgelines — and varied enough that each return reveals something new.
Wānaka
Wānaka is defined by openness, clarity, and a deeply grounded sense of calm. Set on the edge of a broad alpine lake and framed by expansive mountain terrain, it offers a rhythm that feels spacious and unforced. Days unfold with ease — mornings along the lake, time on the water or in the surrounding ranges, and afternoons shaped by light, landscape, and a natural sense of pause.
Outdoor pursuits are integral, from hiking, cycling, and skiing to boating and long days spent outside, yet the appeal of Wānaka lies in its balance. The environment encourages presence rather than pace, with space, privacy, and quiet refinement shaping the experience. It is a place that rewards extended stays and return visits, offering a restorative quality that deepens with familiarity and endures over time.
Hawke’s Bay
Hawke’s Bay is shaped by warmth and generosity — of climate, landscape, and lifestyle. Long known for its vineyards, fertile plains, and sweeping coastline, the region invites time spent outdoors and at the table. Days are guided by the seasons: cycling between wineries, coastal walks, afternoons that stretch into evenings, and a pace that encourages lingering rather than rushing.
Food and wine sit at the heart of the experience, supported by a strong sense of place and an established culture of hospitality. Architecture, gardens, and heritage add depth, while the openness of the landscape lends a relaxed confidence to everyday life. Hawke’s Bay is social without being busy, refined without formality — a destination that lends itself to gathering, entertaining, and return visits shaped by familiarity and ease.
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island offers a rare combination of proximity and separation — an island retreat set just offshore from Auckland, yet defined by its own pace and character. Vineyards roll toward the sea, beaches and headlands shape the coastline, and daily life unfolds with a sense of ease that feels both relaxed and intentional. Time here is guided by light, water, and the natural contours of the land rather than the clock.
The island’s appeal lies in its balance of culture and calm. Wine, food, and art are woven into the landscape, alongside coastal walks, swimming coves, and long lunches that naturally extend into the afternoon. Waiheke feels quietly sophisticated without being precious — a place that rewards repeated visits, where familiarity brings comfort and each stay deepens the connection to the island’s rhythm and setting.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is defined by water, horizon, and an immediate sense of release. With its sheltered bays, forested headlands, and wide coastal views, the region offers a deeply elemental experience — one shaped by the sea and a slower, more intuitive rhythm. Days here tend to revolve around the water: boating between quiet coves, swimming, fishing, or simply watching light move across the bay.
Life in the Bay of Islands feels uncluttered and restorative. There is space to disconnect, to spend long hours outdoors, and to settle into a pace guided by weather and tide rather than schedule. The appeal lies in its simplicity and scale — a place where repeat visits feel grounding, familiarity enhances enjoyment, and time spent here leaves a lasting sense of calm and clarity.